Ignoring The Dog Whistles; Unpacking Uniformed LGBTQ+ and Anti-CRT Opinions in K-12

Again, with great reluctance, I've decided to respond to an opinion piece that I've identified as anti-anti-racism and borders on the lines of anti-LGBTQ+, especially when we unpack the portrayal of gender ideology. The writer of this article published this opinion piece through Newsweek but occasionally writes for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. It is essential to mention this affiliation, as the release of the thought-provoking work by Robert Pondiscio titled: "I believe “antiracism” is misguided. Can I still teach Black children", came out of this camp as well.

This article is a tad more challenging to respond to than Pondiscio's. I'm not convinced that the author has the background knowledge necessary to critique Critical Race Theory properly.

Who Have You Spoken With?

I would also be curious to know who the author has spoken about within her evidence collection phase before writing this piece. I'm also left unsure if this is an attempt to open up dialogue. The further I read, the more I felt unchallenged by the writing but triggered by the racist dog-whistling ideologies peddled in this opinion piece. Further, my challenge to this author would be to define Critical Race Theory in their own words. Clearly, in my opinion, the author lacks a clear understanding of CRT in schools and curriculum. 


Defending Education

Not that white women and their weaponized tears don't already have enough of the K-12 marketshare. There's a new sheriff in town with regards to commandeering opinions from the folks who really run public education. Below is an example of the types of speeches happening at a school board meeting near you.



The newly formed group, Defending Education, put out a CFP (Call For Papers) soliciting feedback from parents and teachers on Critical Race Theory. Was this a blind solicitation? Where the race and ethnicity of the participants collected in the data collection phase? Did the author use MaxQDA to identify the themes presented by the subjects of the CFP? Was the study portion of this opinion piece offered to Persons of Color to participate? 

Bi-partisan?

My point in asking these questions is although the opinion piece identifies as Bi-partisan, who did the author talk with prior? How were these folks solicited, and was there a slant to how the data was captured and displayed? The article claims that there is bi-partisan support against Critical Race Theory and gender ideology. However, when we look at the mainly red states railing against Critical Race Theory, those same states passing legislation that is anti-LGBTQ+. Although the author may have heard a story here and there [from a liberal] does not qualify the attempt to make CRT and gender inequalities Bi-partisan issues.


Both President Biden and Vice-President Harris both spoke on the lived experiences of the oppressed in this country. Joe was very passionate in explaining the wrongs committed to Black Americans, from enslavement to Jim Crow. It was one of the better moments in his career.

 

LGBTQ+

The opinion piece talks about gender identity, but it is quite honestly a fight to get to it. The author gives an example of ten-year-olds introduced to gender-conforming pro-nouns and nuanced conversations about gender identity. From where I stand, differences should be embraced and not face reductionism. Much of knowing in American schools capture white people as heroes and marginalized raced people as oppressed. It would have been better received if this opinion piece pointed that out, instead of dog-whistling against Blacks who want to see themselves in curricula and an LGBTQ+ community that continues to be oppressed by the very same taxpayer-funded schools.

The Differences 

The difference between responding to Pondiscio and responding to this piece is astounding. When responding to Pondiscio, as I stated, at least I knew there were opportunities to gain insight and meet in the middle on some issues. I have with the author of this piece that I'm left unsure if I would even want to meet with a person with this type of opinion. As a conservative, I felt like this piece was justification for ideologies that led to the January 6th insurgency. Although I can admit that many share the same view as the author, it still leaves one to ponder how racist and bigoted people project who they are onto people just looking for visibility in the world that does not see them as equals.

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